As the season pushes on, the quarter-final stage of the League Cup throws up some interesting ties with three of the Premier League top four still battling for a place in the semi-finals.
We preview the best of the EFL cup action below.
Manchester United v Charlton
12th in League One, Charlton have impressed massively with their run to the quarter-final of the League Cup, beating Brighton and Stevenage in the last two fixtures, becoming the only team left in the competition that isn’t in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for the Addicks, they come up against one of the most in-form teams in the football league; a Manchester United, that have won their last four games in the top flight.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are 1/9 to win here in 90 minutes and, by the looks of the odds, should make it to the semi-final comfortably. United are 5/4 to score four or more goals, a feat they have achieved once already this season in the third round of this tournament.
It could be a difficult night for Charlton, but the magic of the cup has been known to produce upsets, as any football fan in England will know. Charlton are 6/1 to win the tie, and with those odds, it doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to picture them causing an upset after some of the results we witnessed in the FA Cup at the weekend. Charlton to score in the first half is 11/4 with enhanced odds, with both teams to score only 10/11.
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Newcastle v Leicester City
One of the harder of the ties to call, these two giants go head-to-head in a match that could go down to the wire. With Newcastle’s phenomenal league form and Leicester’s recent success in cup competitions, this could go either way.
The odds do tell another story, however, and favour Newcastle with the season they are having, making them the 4/9 favourites, while Leicester come in as underdogs at 11/2. However, Newcastle haven’t managed to win in their last three games and lost to League One Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday with a way below-par performance.
Of course, looking at Leicester’s recent form in all competitions paints a picture that is representative of their odds in this tie, but a win in the Community Shield last season and their historic victory in the FA Cup final in 20/21 show them in a more positive light in cup competitions, and highlights their ability to succeed on the biggest stage.
Threatening the Leicester goal will be Miguel Almiron, who is likely to play and 7/2 with enhanced odds to have over one shot on target. However, Alexander Isak is the favourite to score first for the Magpies at 14/5 and return from injury with a bang. Jamie Vardy still looks to be Leicester’s biggest asset and is the favourite to score first for The Foxes at 17/2.
Both teams to score, each team to receive at least one card, and each team to win over three corners, looks to be the best combination bet on offer, and at 5/1, offers a significant potential for returns.
Southampton v Manchester City
This should be another straightforward victory for Manchester City who are the 1/7 favourites to win the tie. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden to have over five shots on target combined at only 5/2 highlights the level of threat they carry and is one of the reasons the Saints come in at just 4/1 to triumph on their own turf.
Knowing the amount of goals City can score when they turn it on, it is no surprise that the match is 6/5 to feature over 3.5 goals and 5/2 to feature more than 4.5. It could be a tough night for struggling Southampton with the most likely score on the night 2-0 to the Citizens.
It is likely Pep Guardiola will call on his top players in this match as he pushes for another League Cup semi-final appearance and Kevin De Bruyne will almost certainly be one of them. The Belgian ace is 5/1 with enhanced odds to score and Manchester City to win by three or more.
Southampton do however possess a lot of talent and, despite their poor form, are capable of the odd, impressive result. Che Adams is their main man in front of goal and is 4/1 to score at any time.
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